Beyond Legal Recognition: Assessing the Adequacy of Migrant Workers’ Protection Under Cameroonian Labour Law and International Standards

Migrant workers occupy an important place in contemporary labour markets, yet their protection is complicated by the interaction between immigration control, employment regulation and practical dependence on employers. This article critically assesses the adequacy of the Cameroonian framework by examining the 1992 Labour Code, regulations governing foreign workers’ employment contracts, and international labour as well as human-rights standards applicable to Cameroon. It uses doctrinal legal analysis and a comparative literature review drawing on Cameroon-focused scholarship and research from Nigeria, South Africa, West Africa and East Africa. The article develops a five-part adequacy test covering normative coverage, substantive protection, institutional enforceability, accessibility and security, and coherence between labour and immigration rules. It argues that Cameroon has a meaningful normative foundation, including a nationality-neutral definition of “worker” and ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions Nos. 97 and 143. However, the relationship between general labour rights and foreign-worker authorization, together with the practical accessibility of inspection and remedies, requires more explicit safeguards and stronger public evidence. The article’s contribution is an integrated, Cameroon-centered assessment that distinguishes legal recognition from effective enforceability. Because the study is doctrinal rather than empirical, it identifies structural risks and evidential gaps without claiming to measure the prevalence of violations. It recommends clearer procedures, stronger coordination, accessible complaint mechanisms, fair recruitment safeguards and transparent implementation data.